Apparatus for assembling rows of rod-shaped articles

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for converting a single file of cigarette rod sections or like articles into two rows of parallel articles which move sideways comprises a pair of accelerating cams which engage alternate articles of the file and propel them, together with the preceding articles, into successive flutes of a continuously moving row forming drum. The latter is provided with pneumatic braking means which arrests the pairs of articles in their flutes and with one or two pneumatic displacing units which move the front articles lengthwise away from the rear articles and/or vice versa so that the articles form two rows whose articles are transferred into successive flutes of a receiving drum.

United States Patent Schubert et a1.

[54] APPARATUS FOR ASSENIBLING ROWS 0F ROD-SHAPED ARTICLES [72] I Inventors: Bernhard Schubert, Hamburg; Alfred Schubert, Neuboemsen; Herbert Berlin, Hamburg, all of Germany [73] Assignee: Hauni-Werke Korber & Co., KG., Hamburg, Germany [22] Filed: Mar. 11, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 18,555

[ 51 May 23, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Herrmann, ..198/25 Primary ExaminerRichard E. Aegerter Assistant ExaminerDouglas D. Watts Attorney-Michael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for converting a single file of cigarette rod sections or like articles into two rows of parallel articles which move sideways comprises a pair of accelerating cams which engage alternate articles of the file and propel them, together with the preceding articles, into successive flutes of a continuously moving row forming drum. The latter is provided with pneumatic braking means which arrests the pairs of articles in their flutes and with one or two pneumatic displacing units which move the front articles lengthwise away from the rear articles and/or vice versa so that the articles form two rows whose articles are transferred into successive flutes of a receiving drum.

23 Claims, 9 Drawing figures Patented May 23, 1972 3,664,891

4 Sheetsfiheet 2 INVENTORS IMF/Z 0 860103547- uemenr 8am no %Mwihh ATTORNEY Patented May 23, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VE N MR 5 Bayou) 560118641- fluueq Sud/8E4. I

heme/u 8:24.141

3., M m MT ww r B APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING ROWS OF ROD-SHAPED ARTICLES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The apparatus of the present invention constitutes an improvement over and a further development of apparatus disclosed in the copending applications Ser. Nos. 744,995 filed July 15, 1968 by Rudszinat et al., 802,463 filed Feb. 26, 1969 by Schubert and 887,665 filed Dec. 23, 1969 by Rudszinat et a]. now U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,003.

BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for assembling rows of plain or filter cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, filter rod sections or analogous rod-shaped articles. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in apparatus for assembling plural rows of parallel rodshaped articles in such a way that each article of one row is coaxial with an article of each other row. Such formations are desirable, for example, in the production of filter cigarettes.

Cigarettes issuing from a cigarette rod making machine are normally discharged in the form of a single file wherein the articles travel lengthwise. Such single file must be converted into one or more rows wherein the articles travel sideways. The rows are necessary in many types of filter cigarette machines wherein filter plugs of double unit length are introduced between pairs of coaxial cigarette rod sections prior to wrapping of adhesive coated uniting bands around the plugs andaround the adjacent ends of cigarette rod sections to form filter cigarettes of double unit length. Problems arise when the cigarettes which move lengthwise beyond the cutoff of a modern high-speed cigarette making machine must change the direction of their movement to travel sideways and to form one or more rows. As a rule, the cigarettes moving beyond the cutoff are disposed end-to-end so that they actually touch each other; therefore, it is necessary to use so-called kickers or analogous accelerating devices which propel successive cigarettes forwardly to establish clearances which are needed to insure unimpeded changes in direction of movement (from lengthwise to sidewise) of successive cigarettes. The accelerating device normally propels cigarettes into successive flutes of a revolving drum wherein the cigarettes must be arrested in predetermined axial positions to form a single row or two rows. A drawback of presently known methods is that each flute of the drum receives a single cigarette; therefore, it is necessary to provide auxiliary equipment which moves the cigarettes of one row into axial alignment with the cigarettes of the other row. Such auxiliary equipment often includes several drums which travel at different speeds or transport the respective rows along paths of different length. Additional problems arise in connection with stoppage of cigarettes in the respective flutes. If the cigarettes are permitted to strike against mechanical stops, they are likely to be deformed or damaged U.S. Pat. No 3,036,581 discloses a different method of forming two rows of parallel cigarettes. The cigarettes which form a single file are brought to a full stop, and a kicker plate moves the two foremost cigarettes sideways into the adjacent flutes of an assembly drum. Such procedure is rather slow. because, instead of being accelerated, the foremost cigarettes must be arrested prior to admission into the flutes of the assembly drum. Also, the simultaneous transfer of several cigarettes sideways into successive flutes of a revolving drum is likely to result in deformation of wrappers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can convert a single file of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles into several rows of articles which move sideways without any damage to or deformation of such articles and at the rate at which the articles issue from a high-speed producing machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can form plural rows of rod-shaped articles in such a way that each article of one row is coaxial with and located at an optimum distance from an article of each other row.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the articles which form a single file need not be arrested prior to transfer into flutes or analogous holding means of a continuously moving drum or like conveyor.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel feeding device which can supply rod-shaped articles into the flutes of a continuously moving row forming drum or like conveyor.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel and improved braking means for articles which move lengthwise in the flutes of a revolving drum and to provide novel and improved displacing means for shifting articles in the flutes to optimum positions for the formation of plural rows.

An ancillary object of the invention is to provide a novel conveyor for use in the above-outlined apparatus and to provide novel air flow regulating valve means for use with such conveyor.

The apparatus of our invention is used to assemble plural rows of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles and comprises a conveyor having a plurality of at least substantially parallel elongated flutes or similar holding means arranged to travel along a predetermined path past a first station and at least one second station, feeding means for supplying groups of at least two coaxial rod-shaped articles lengthwise into successive holding means at the first station so that each group assumes with reference to the respective holding means a first position and moves therewith sideways toward the second station, displacing means preferably including at least one pneumatic displacing unit arranged to move at least one selected article of each group lengthwise to a second position relative to the respective holding means during sidewise travel toward the second station, and receiving means for accepting articles from successive holding means at the second station. The articles are caused to move sideways whereby the selected articles which move with the receiving means form a first row of parallel articles and the remainder of each group forms at least one second row of parallel articles.

At the present time, we prefer to manipulate groups consisting of two coaxial articles each so that the remainder of each group forms on the receiving means a single second row of parallel articles which travel sideways and each of which is in axial alignment with an article of the fist row.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the apparatus further comprises braking means arranged to oppose lengthwise movement of groups in the respective holding means prior to movement of selected articles of such groups to second positions and to thereby arrest the groups in their first positions. If the displacing means is arranged to move only one article of each group axially, the first positions of articles which form the second row or rows are their final positions in which the respective articles remain during the remaining stage of travel toward the second station and preferably also on the receiving means.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary partly side elevational and partly sectional view of an apparatus which embodies one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a smaller-scale developed plan view of a portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary partly side elevational and partly sectional view of a second apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a smaller-scale developed plane view of a portion of the second apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary partly elevational and partly sectional view of a third apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a smaller-scale developed plan view of a portion of the third apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown an apparatus which converts a single file of alternating cigarettes 3a, 3b into two rows 44,45 which respectively contain the cigarettes 3a and 3b. The apparatus comprises a row forming conveyor 1 here shown as a drum which is rotatable about a horizontal axis and has equidistant axially parallel peripheral holding means or flutes 14. The inlet ends 17 of successive flutes 14 receive groups 21 of cigarettes 3a, 3b from the cutoff 2 of a cigarette making machine (e.g., a machine known as GARANT and produced by Hauni-Werke, Korber & Co. K.G., I-IamburgBergedorf, Western Germany) which discharges a continuous cigarette rod 4. The knife 2a of the cutoff 2 severs the rod 4 at regular intervals to form a single file of alternating cigarettes 3a, 3b which move lengthwise in a guide or trough 6 toward the gap between two synchronized accelerating cams 8,9 mounted for rotation about the axes of parallel vertical shafts 11, 12 and forming part of a feeding device 7 which supplies groups Z1 into successive flutes 14. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, each of the accelerating cams 8,9 has a single lobe and these cams are driven in synchronism with the cutoff 2 at such a speed that their lobes simultaneously engage alternate cigarettes (3b) of the single file of cigarettes in the trough 6. The speed of the cams 8, 9 is such that the engaged cigarette 3b is segregated from the next-following cigarette 3a and is propelled intothe registering flute 14 to push the front cigarette (3a) in a direction toward a barrier 15 at the opposite end of the respective flute. The axes of the shafts 11, 12 for the accelerating cams 8, 9 are located at the same distance from the center of the trough 6 and the two cams are mirror symmetrical with reference to a vertical plane which includes the axes of cigarettes 3a, 3b in the trough 6. Each group Z1 includes a front cigarette (3a) and a rear cigarette (3b). A transmission 13 is provided to drive the conveyor 1 in synchronism with the cutoff 2 and accelerating cams 8, 9.

The flutes 14 of the conveyor 1 are separated from each other by axially parallel ribs or lands 16 and their inlet ends 17 flare toward the feeding device 7 to facilitate entry of front cigarettes at a first transfer station A where the discharge end of the trough 6 registers with the inlet ends 17 of successive flutes 14. The aforementioned barrier 15 is located opposite the transfer station A and its purpose is to substantially seal the corresponding ends of flutes 14 from the atmosphere. A receiving conveyor 2 accepts the groups 44,45 from successive flutes 14 at a second transfer station B which is located substantially diametrically opposite the station A (see FIG. 3). A shroud 18 is provided to overlie those flutes 14 which travel sideways from the station A toward the station B (this is the region C shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The main function of the shroud 18 is to at least substantially seal the flutes 14 from the atmosphere during transport of groups Z1 from the station A to the station B. The shroud 18 has been omitted in FIG. 3 in order to illustrate the manner in which the groups 21 are converted into rows 44,45 during travel in the region C.

The apparatus further comprises pneumatic braking means which opposes lengthwise movement of groups 21 in the respective flutes 14 and which is arranged to bring such groups to a full stop in a predetermined first position, namely,

in the final positions of the rear cigarettes 3b (row 45). The two lowermost groups Z1 shown in FIG. 3 occupy such first positions. The pneumatic braking means comprises a braking element 19 for each of the flutes l4, and each such braking element includes an elongated recess 21 which is machined into the bottom surface of the flute 14 and a radially extending suction port 22 which communicates with the foremost portion 23 of the recess 21, namely, with that portion which is remotest from the inlet end 17 of the respective flute. Thus, when a group Z1 enters a flute 14, the front cigarette 3a advances toward the port 22 and thereby progressively overlies the respective recess 21 so that the braking action of suction in the recess 21 increases and causes growing friction between the wrapper of the cigarette 3a and the surface of the flute 14. The cigarette 3a comes to a full stop when it overlies the entire recess 21, i. e., also the foremost portion 23 (see the cigarettes 30 in the two lowermost groups Z1 in FIG. 3). The rear cigarette 3b is not subjected to a positive braking action, i. e., it is braked in response to braking of the corresponding front cigarette 3a and comes to a full stop in an optimum (first) position to form with the other cigarettes 3b a row 45 of accurately aligned cigarettes.

Each radial port 22 communicates with an axially parallel blind bore or channel 24 which is machined into the body of the conveyor 1 and terminates its right-hand end face (as viewed in FIG. 1 or 3). A stationary disk-shaped valve plate 27 is biased against the right-hand end face of the conveyor 1 and is provided with a set of arcuate grooves (best shown in FIG. 2) including a relatively short groove 26 adapted to communicate with channels 24 associated with those flutes 14 which move away from the first transfer station A.

The apparatus further comprises pneumatic displacing or shifting means which serves to move the front cigarettes 3a lengthwise and away from the rear cigarettes 3b and to assemble the cigarettes 3a in the row 44. The displacing means of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a single pneumatic displacing unit because the rear cigarettes 3b are not moved once the leading cigarettes 3a are brought to a full stop under the action of suction in corresponding recesses21. The single displacing unit comprises radial ports 28 each of which is machined into the bottom surface of a flute 14 and is located forwardly of the respective recess 21. Each port 28 communicates with an axially parallel blind bore or channel 29 which is machined into the right-hand end face of the conveyor l and can communicate with a second arcuate groove 31 of the valve plate 27. The groove 29 begins where the groove 26 ends and preferably extends all the way to the transfer station B.

The conveyor 1 is further provided with retaining means for holding the rear cigarettes 3b in their first positions and for holding the front cigarettes 3a in their second or final positions. Such retaining means includes radial ports 32,33 and 37 machined into the bottom surfaces of the flutes l4, and axially parallel blind bores or channels 34, 38 which respectively communicate with the ports 32-33 and 37. The channels 34 can communicate with a third arcuate groove 36, and the channels 38 can communicate with a forth arcuate groove 39 of the valve plate 27. The latter is further provided with a suction chamber 40 which is in communication with the four grooves 26,31, 36 and 39 as well as with a valved pipe 42 which connects it to the intake end of a suction generating device 41, e. g., a fan or the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the groove 26 extends along a relatively small acute angle alpha, that the groove 39 extends along a relatively large acute angle gamma, and that each of the grooves 31, 36 extends along a relatively large obtuse angle beta plus gamma. The sum of the three angles shown in FIG. 2 equals the angular distance between the transfer stations A and B (approximately The aforementioned receiving conveyor 42 is a rotary drum having axially parallel peripheral flutes 43 each of which receives a pair of axially spaced cigarettes 3a, 3b. The width of the gap 46 between such cigarettes preferably at least equals the length of a filter plug of a double unit length if the receiving drum 42 is to deliver the two rows 44,45 of cigarettes 3a, 3b to a filter cigarette making machine, e. g., a machine known as MAX and produced by Hauni-Werke, Kiirber & Co. K. G., of Hamburg-Bergedorf, Western Germany. This filter cigarette machine delivers into each gap 46 a filter plug of double unit length and thereupon applies an adhesive-coated uniting band across the filter plug and around the adjacent inner ends of cigarettes 3a, 3b to form a filter cigarette of double unit length which is thereupon severed midway across the convoluted uniting band to yield two filter cigarettes of unit length.

The operation:

The cigarette making machine produces a continuous cigarette rod 4 which moves lengthwise and is severed by the knife 2a of the cutoff to form a single file of immediately adjacent cigarettes advancing in the trough 6 between the revolving accelerating cams 8,9 whose lobes simultaneously engage each second cigarette 3b and propel it into the inlet end 17 of the adjacentflute 14. As explained above, the transmission 13 synchronizes the rotational speed of the conveyor 1 with that of the cams 8,9 and of the knife 2a so that the cams 8,9 form successive groups Z1 each of which includes a front cigarette 3a and a rear cigarette 3b. Thus, the cams 8, 9 not only propel the groups Z1 into successive flutes 14 but also separate the groups from each other to establish between the groups gaps of requisite length in order to insure that each front cigarette 3a enters a separate inlet 17. The entry of groups Z1 into the flutes 14 is assisted by suction which is produced in the flutes 14 at the transfer station A by air flowing into the recesses 21, ports 22, channels 24, groove 26, chamber 40, pipe 42 and suction generating device 41. The barrier 15 insures that the right-hand end of each flute 14 which travels past the transfer station A is substantially sealed from theatmosphere. FIG. 2 shows that the shroud 18 begins a little ahead of the transfer station A, i. e., each flute 14 which is in the process of receiving a group Z1 has its outer side substantially sealed by the internal surface of the shroud. The front cigarette 3a is subjected to a progressively increasing braking action as soon as its wrapper moves into the space adjacent to the respective recess 21 and moves toward the front portion 23, namely, toward the intake end of the corresponding suction port 22. Such braking action takes place while the flute 14 travels away from the transfer station A (angle alpha in FIG. 2). The front cigarette 3a comes to a full stop (and thus arrests and the adjacent rear cigarette 312) when it overlies the entire recess 21 in the flute 14. This is shown in the lower part of FIG. 3. The braking action upon the wrapper of the front cigarette 3a is intensified abruptly as soon as the wrapper overlies the entire recess 21 so that the cigarette 3a moves only slightly beyond the corresponding suction port 22. FIG. 3 shows that the length of each recess 21 at least equals half the length of the front cigarette 3a A group Z1 whose front cigarette 3a is arrested by suction in the recess 21 thus assumes a predetermined (first) position which is the final position of the rear cigarette 3b. Such stoppage of groups Z1 is preferably completed before the corresponding suction ports 28 begin to communicate with the groove 31 of the valve plate 27. The suction ports 22 in successive flutes 14 are automatically sealed from the groove 26 when the groups Z1 complete a movement through the angle alpha and when the ports 28 begin to communicate with the suction generating device 41 by way of the associated channels 29, groove 31, chamber 40 and pipe 42. Since the front cigarettes 3a are not attracted to the respective slots 21, suction in the ports 28 causes them to move lengthwise and away from the adjacent rear cigarettes 3b. Such lengthwise movement takes place while the respective flute 14 moves sideways (angles beta and gamma in FIG. 2) and is completed when the respective wrapper overlies the intake end of the port 28 (see the upper part of FIG. 3). Suction in the port 28 (while the latter communicates with the groove 31) is strong enough to accelerate the front cigarette 3a in a direction to the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, so that the cigarette 3a assumes its second or final position not later than (but preferably before) the corresponding flute 14 reaches the transfer station B.

In order to prevent uncontrolled axial displacement of rear cigarettes 3b, the retaining ports 32,33 in the flutes 14 are connected with the groove 36 of the valve plate 27 as soon as the flutes move beyond the groove 26. Suction in the ports 32,33 then insures that the cigarettes 3b remain in their (first) positions while the flutes travel toward the transfer station B. In the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3, the front cigarettes 3a reach their second or final positions after the corresponding flutes 14 cover a distance alpha plus beta (FIG. 2). The retaining ports 37 of successive flutes 14 then communicate with the groove 39 and attract the front cigarettes 3a to retain them in second positions while the flutes continue to move toward the transfer station B (angle gamma in FIG. 2). The ports 37 then assist the ports 28 in holding the cigarettes 3a against lengthwise movement. The ports 32, 33 and 37, 28 are sealed from the suction generating device 41 shortly before the respective flutes l4 reach the transfer station B, and the shroud 18 also terminates slightly ahead of this transfer station so that the cigarettes 3a and 3b can leave their flutes by gravity and under the action of centrifugal force to enter the adjacent flutes 43 of the receiving conveyor 42. It is clear that the latter can be provided with suction ports which attract the cigarettes 3a, 3b in the flutes 43 to insure more rapid and more predictable transfer of the two rows 44,45. The gaps 46 between the rows 44,45 receive filter plugs of double unit length (not shown) while the cigarettes 3a, 3b move with the conveyor 42 or subsequent to transfer onto another conveyor (called assembly conveyor). From then on, the production of filter cigarettes proceeds in the customary manner not forming part of the present invention.

The apparatus of FIGS. 4-6 differs from the first apparatus mainly in that it comprises a different pneumatic braking means and that the rear cigarettes are moved away from the front cigarettes. All such parts of this apparatus which are clearly analogous to the parts of the apparatus shown in FIGS, 1 to 3 are denoted by similar reference characters plus 100. The groups Z101 are propelled into the inlet ends 117 of successive flutes 114 by a feeding means which preferably includes the accelerating cams 8,9 and a guide or trough 106 (shown in FIG. 6). However, the pneumatic braking means of the second apparatus serves to arrest the groups Z101 and the front cigarettes 103a in their first positions whereupon the suction in displacing ports 128 causes the rear cigarettes 103b to move rearwardly and to assume their second or final positions before the respective flutes l 14 reach the transfer station B.

The slots 21 in the flutes 14 of the conveyor 1 are replaced by rows of aligned suction ports 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 which communicate with the blind bores or channels 124 of the conveyor 101 and with the groove 126 of the stationary valve plate 127 substantially all the way during travel of flutes 114 from the transfer station A to the transfer station B (see FIG. 5). The ports 128 communicate with axially parallel channels 129 which communicate with the groove 131 of the valve plate 127 after the respective flutes 114 cover an angle delta (FIG. 5). The angle epsilon indicates the length of that portion of the groove 131 which communicates with the channels 129 while the respective rear cigarettes 103b move rearwardly and assume their second or final positions in which their wrappers overlie the respective suction ports 128. This is shown in FIG. 6. The retaining ports 132 of successive flutes 114 and the associated channels 134 begin to communicate with the groove 136 of the valve plate 127 after the respective rear cigarettes 103b reach their final positions. The angle zeta indicates the length of the groove 136.

The operation:

The accelerating cams propel successive groups Z101 into vports 151-456 effect deceleration and stoppage of groups 2101 whereby the wrappers of the front cigarettes 103a overlie the intake ends of the respective ports 151-156 in a manner as shown in the lower part of FIG. 6. The braking action upon the groups Z101 increases at the rate at which the front cigarettes travel toward the barrier 115 and such braking action overcomes the inertia of groups Z101 by bringing them to a full stop in first positions corresponding to final positions of the front cigarettes 103a. Friction between the front cigarettes 103a and the surfaces of respective flutes 114 increases abruptly when the wrappers of such cigarettes seal the foremost braking ports 156 so that the leading ends of the cigarettes 103a advance only slightly beyond the ports 156. Such stoppage of groups Z101 is terminated no later than when the displacing ports 128 of successive flutes 1 14 begin to communicate with the groove 131. This causes the rear cigarettes 103b to move away from the front cigarettes 103a which are held by suction in the ports 151-156) whereby the cigarettes 103b move at an increasing speed and come to a full stop when their wrappers overlie the intake ends of the respective ports 128. Such movements of cigarettes 103b to second or final positions are terminated while the respective flutes 114 cover the angle epsilon. In order to insure that the rear cigarettes 103b remain in such second positions during the remaining stage of sidewise movement toward the transfer station B (angle zeta), the retaining ports 132 begin to communicate with the groove 136 by way of the channels 134 and attract the cigarettes 103b to the surfaces of the respective flutes 114 substantially all the way to the transfer station B where the shroud 118 ends and the respective channels 124, 129, 134 are sealed from the suction generating device 141 and can be readily accepted by the flutes 143 of the receiving drum 142. The cigarettes 103a form the row 144 and the cigarettes 103b form the row 145 which is separated from the row 144 by a gap 146 wide enough to accommodate a row of filter plugs of double unit length. The manner in which the ports 151-156 brake and arrest the groups Z101 in first positions and the manner in which the rear cigarettes 103b thereupon move toward and dwell in their second positions is best shown in FIG. 6. The retaining ports 132 can be omitted because the suction in displacing ports 128, coupled with the restraining action of the shroud 118, normally suffices to hold the rear cigarettes 1031: against movement from their second or final positions.

In the apparatus of FIGS. 4-6, the pneumatic braking elements 119 also serve as retaining means for holding the front cigarettes 103 a in first positions during sidewise travel toward the transfer station B.

Those parts of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 7-9 which are clearly analogous to the parts shown in F IGS. 1-3 are denoted by similar reference characters plus 200. The main difference between the apparatus of FIGS. 7-9 and that of FIGS. 1-3 or 4-6 is that each of the cigarettes 203a, 203b forming the groups Z201 is moved lengthwise subsequent to at leas partial stoppage of the respective group 2201 in the corresponding flute 214 of the conveyor 201. The elongated braking recesses 261 of the pneumatic braking elements 219 in the flutes 214 decelerate and stop the groups Z201 in positions shown in the lower part of FIG. 9. This takes place while the flutes 214 travel away from the transfer station A (angle eta in FIG. 8). The front cigarettes 203 a thereupon move forwardly and away from the rear cigarettes 203b and the rear cigarettes simultaneously move rearwardly and away from the front cigarettes (angle theta in FIG. 8). During the remaining stage of sidewise movement of flutes 214 toward the transfer station B (angle iota in FIG. 8), the cigarettes 203a, 203b are attracted to the surfaces of flutes 214 in their second positions so that they cannot move lengthwise and are ready to form the rows 244, 245 as soon as they enter the flutes 243 of the receiving drum 242.

The pneumatic displacing means of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 comprises suction ports 228a, 228b in each flute 214, channels 229a, 22911 which communicate with the ports 228a, 228b and extend to the right-hand end face of the conveyor 201 (as viewed in FIG. 7), and arcuate grooves 231a, 231b in the stationary valve plate 227. That groove of the valve plate 227 which can communicate with the ports 222 comprises two angularly spaced sections 226a, 22Gb. The section 226a communicates with the ports 222 while the respective flutes 214 move away from the transfer station A (immediately after introduction of groups 2201), and the section 226b communicates with the ports 222 subsequent to completion of lengthwise movement of front cigarettes 203a to their second or final positions The operation:

The trough 206 guides successive groups Z201 into the inlet ends 217 of flutes 214 which travel past the transfer station A whereby the front cigarettes 203a move toward and begin to overlie the respective recesses 261 to be subjected to a gradually increasing braking action which risesabruptly as soon as the recess 261 is fully sealed from the flute 214. This braking action suffices to arrest the front cigarettes 203a (and hence the adjacent rear cigarettes 203b) in first positions shown in the lower part of FIG. 9. The braking action is terminated and the groups 2201 are brought to a full stop while the respective flutes 214 cover the angle eta. The ports 222 and channels 224 are thereupon sealed from the groove section 226a and the displacing ports 228a, 228b are free to communicate with the grooves 231a, 231b to respectively move the cigarettes 203a, 203b forwardly and rearwardly as shown in the median part of FIG. 9. Such displacement of cigarettes 203a, 203b is terminated not later than after the respective flutes 214 cover the angle theta. The braking action of air which is drawn into the recesses 261 need not be reproducible with utmost accuracy because the first positions of cigarettes 203a, 203b (shown in the lower part of FIG. 9) are not their final positions, i. e., not only the front cigarette 203a but also the rear cigarette 203b is thereupon displaced lengthwise to assume that position which is best suited to form two rows 244,245 of accurately aligned cigarettes 203a, 20312 with a gap 246 whose width should not be less than the length of a filter plug of double unit length. During the last stage of sidewise travel of flutes 214 toward the transfer station B (angle iota in FIG. 8), the ports 222 communicate with the groove section226b and the retaining ports 232 communicate with the groove 236 by way of channels 234 to retain the cigarettes 203a, 203b in their final positions. It was found that lengthwise movements of cigarettes 203a, 203b to their final positions are tenninated abruptly as soon as their wrappers overlie the respective ports 228b, 228a so that the final positions of such cigarettes can be determined with a high degree of accuracy. The manner in which the cigarettes 203a, 2031; are delivered into the flutes 243 of the receiving drum 242 at the transfer station B is the same as described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3.

The suction ports 228a, 228b form part of two displacing units one of which moves the front cigarettes 203a and the other of which moves the rear cigarettes 20312 from first to second axial positions.

It is clear that the improved apparatus is susceptible of many additional modifications without departing from the spirit of our invention. For example, the pneumatic braking means can be replaced by mechanical braking means utilizing revolving cylindrical brushes, elastic cylinders consisting of sponge rubber, suitably configurated springs, or the like. Moreover, the pneumatic displacing means which moves the front and/or rear cigarettes of each group to their final positions can be replaced by mechanical displacing means, such as obliquely mounted rubber rollers or the like. Mechanical displacing means can be used in combination with mechanical braking means, or a mechanical braking or displacing means can be used in combination with a pneumatic displacing or braking means.

It is equally within the purview of our invention to break up groups each of which comprises more than two rod-shaped articles. For example, the accelerating cams 8, 9 of FIGS. 1 to 3 can be used to propel groups consisting of three cigarettes each, and the ports 128 then cause forward displacement of the front cigarettes in each group. The remainder of each group then forms a row which includes two discrete closely adjacent rows of cigarettes. Furthermore, if the apparatus of F IGS. 7- 9 is used for processing of groups of three cigarettes each each, the front cigarettes are moved forwardly to form the row 244, the rearmost cigarettes are moved rearwardly to form the row 245, and the median cigarettes of each group remain in their first positions to form a third row between the rows 244, 245. If the median cigarettes are of double unit length, the apparatus of FIGS. 7-9 is then capable of assembling formations which can be converted into filter cigarettes of four times unit length.

An important advantage of our apparatus is that the angular spacing between successive flutes of the row forming conveyor 1, 101 or 201 can be increased because each such flute receives several coaxial cigarettes. Therefore, the taper of the inlet end 17, 117 or 217 can be increased to facilitate entry of groups into the respective flutes, i.e., the groups can enter while the row forming conveyor continues to move and without any danger of shearing or other damage to the articles.

Another advantage of our apparatus is that the receiving conveyor accepts plural rows wherein each article of one row is in axial alignment with an article of each other row. Thus, we can dispense with the aforementioned auxiliary equipment which is used in conventional apparatus wherein each flute of the revolving row forming drum receives a single rod-shaped article. The pneumatic braking and displacing means of our apparatus insure gentle treatment of cigarettes or like deformable rod-shaped articles as well as rapid and accurate positioning during sidewise movement toward the receiving conveyor.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended 1. Apparatus for assembling plural rows of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising a conveyor having a plurality of at least substantially parallel holding means arranged to travel along a predetermined path past a first station and at least one second station; feeding means for supplying groups of axially aligned articles lengthwise into successive holding means at said first station; braking means including an elongated braking zone provided in each of said holding means, each of said braking zones including at least one suction port arranged to draw air from the respective holding means and to therebyprogressively increase friction between the respective holding means and at least one article of the group of articles in such holding means while the one article moves in a direction to overlie an increasingly larger part of the braking zone whereby said friction causes each group to assume with reference to the respective holding means a first position and to move therewith sideways toward said second station, the suction in each of said ports and the length of each of said braking zones being such that each-of said groups is brought to a stop in said first position while said one article of such group overlies at least the major part of the respective braking zone; pneumatic displacing means arranged to move at least one selected article of each group lengthwise relative to the respective holding means to a second position during sidewise travel toward said second station; and receiving means for accepting articles from successive holding means at said second station whereby said selected articles form a first row of parallel articles and the remainders of said groups form at least one second row of parallel articles.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said holding means are arranged to travel sideways in an endless path and said braking means further comprises suction generating means and stationary valve means for connecting said ports with said suction generating means during travel of said holding means in predetermined portions of said endless path.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said groups comprises two coaxial articles so that said remainders of said groups form a single second row.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor comprises a rotary drum and said holding means comprise axially parallel flutes provided in the periphery of said drum.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said braking means comprises retaining means for maintaining said remainders of said groups in said first positions during sidewise movement of said groups to said second station.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means is arranged to move a single article of each of said groups to said second position.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising retaining means for maintaining said remainders of said groups in said first positions during sidewise movement of said groups to said second station.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means includes a first displacing unit for moving said selected articles to second positions and a second displacing unit for moving a second article of each group to a second position during sidewise movement of said groups toward said second station.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises at least one displacing element for each of said holding means.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises at least one pneumatic displacing unit.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, further comprising means for at least substantially sealing said holding means .from the surrounding atmosphere during travel between said first and second stations.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said feeding means comprises a pair of synchronized accelerating members and means for supplying a single file of rod-shaped articles into the range of said accelerating members.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said accelerating members are rotary cams having lobes arranged to simultaneously engage and propel alternate articles of said file so that each of said groups comprises a leading article which is pushed forwardly by the respective alternate article.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said articles are tobacco-containing rods and wherein said displacing means is arranged to establish between the articles of said first and second rows a gap whose width at least equals the length of a filter plug of double unit length.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said braking means further comprises suction generating means and valve means for connecting said suction generating means with said ports in predetermined positions of said holding means with reference to said stations.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said groups comprises a front article and at least one further article located behind such front article as considered in the direction of lengthwise movement of said groups into the respective holding means, said braking means being arranged to arrest the front article of each of said groups.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises at least one pneumatic displacing unit including stationary air flow regulating valve means.

18. In a conveyor as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said zones includes an elongated recess in the respective holding means and wherein said ports communicate with those portions of said recesses which are remotest from the article-admitting inlet ends of said holding means.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said zones consists of at least one elongated row of suction ports.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for evacuating air from said ports in those portions of said braking zones which are remotest from the article-admitting inlet ends of the respective holding means.

21. Apparatus for assembling plural rows of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising a conveyor having a plurality of at least substantially parallel holding means arranged to travel along a predetermined path past a first station and at least one second station; feeding means for supplying groups of axially aligned articles lengthwise into successive holding means at said first station so that each group assumes with reference to the respective holding means a first position and moves therewith sideways toward said second station; displacing means comprising at least one pneumatic displacing unit arranged to move at least one selected article of each group lengthwise relative to the respective holding means to a second position during sidewise travel toward said second station, said displacing unit comprising at least one suction port provided in each of said holding means, suction generating means, and valve means for connecting said ports with said suction generating means in predetermined positions of said holding means with reference to said stations; and receiving means for accepting articles from successive holding means at said second station whereby said selected articles form a first row of parallel articles and the remainders of said groups form at least one second row of parallel articles.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein each of said holding means comprises an elongated flute having a bottom portion and wherein said ports are provided in the bottom portions of the respective flutes.

23. Apparatus for assembling plural rows of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising a conveyor having a plurality of at least substantially parallel holding means arranged to travel along a predetermined path past a first station and at least one second station; feeding means for supplying groups of axially aligned articles lengthwise into successive holding means at said first station, each of said groups comprising a front article and at least one further article located behind such front article as considered in the direction of lengthwise movement of said groups into the respective holding means; braking means including an elongated braking zone provided in each of said holding means, each of said braking zones including at least one suction port arranged to draw air from the respective holding means and to thereby progressively increase friction between the respective holding means and at least one article of the group of articles in such holding means while the one article moves in a direction to overlie an increasingly larger part of the braking zone whereby said friction causes each group to assume with reference to the respective holding means a first position and to move therewith sideways toward said second station, the suction in each of said ports and the length of each of said braking zones being such that each of said groups is brought to a full stop in said first position while said one article overlies at least the major part of the respective braking zone; pneumatic displacing means arranged to move at least one selected article of each group lengthwise relative to the respective holding means to a second position during sidewise travel toward said second station; and receiving means for accepting articles from successive holding means at said second station whereby said selected articles form a first row of parallel articles and the remainders of said groups form at least one second row of parallel articles.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION May 23, 1972 Patent No. :6 4: Dated Inventor( Bernhard Schubert et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On The Cover Sheet: in item 7 Foreign Application Priority Data "Mar. 13, 1971" should read Mar. 15, 1969 Signed and sealed this 20th day of August 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR. c. MARSHALL'DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) UscoMM-DC 60376-P69 v.5 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I969 0-556-334; 

1. Apparatus for assembling plural rows of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising a conveyor having a plurality of at least substantially parallel holding means arranged to travel along a predetermined path past a first station and at least one second station; feeding means for supplying groups of axially aligned articles lengthwise into successive holding means at said first station; braking means including an elongated braking zone provided in each of said holding means, each of said braking zones including at least one suction port arranged to draw air from the respective holding means and to thereby progressively increase friction between the respective holding means and at least one article of the group of articles in such holding means while the one article moves in a direction to overlie an increasingly larger part of the braking zone whereby said friction causes each group to assume with reference to the respective holding means a first position and to move therewith sideways toward said second station, the suction in each of said ports and the length of each of said braking zones being such that each of said groups is brought to a stop in said first position while said one article of such group overlies at least the major part of the respective braking zone; pneumatic displacing means arranged to move at least one selected article of each group lengthwise relative to the respective holding means to a second position during sidewise travel toward said second station; and receiving means for accEpting articles from successive holding means at said second station whereby said selected articles form a first row of parallel articles and the remainders of said groups form at least one second row of parallel articles.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said holding means are arranged to travel sideways in an endless path and said braking means further comprises suction generating means and stationary valve means for connecting said ports with said suction generating means during travel of said holding means in predetermined portions of said endless path.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said groups comprises two coaxial articles so that said remainders of said groups form a single second row.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor comprises a rotary drum and said holding means comprise axially parallel flutes provided in the periphery of said drum.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said braking means comprises retaining means for maintaining said remainders of said groups in said first positions during sidewise movement of said groups to said second station.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means is arranged to move a single article of each of said groups to said second position.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising retaining means for maintaining said remainders of said groups in said first positions during sidewise movement of said groups to said second station.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means includes a first displacing unit for moving said selected articles to second positions and a second displacing unit for moving a second article of each group to a second position during sidewise movement of said groups toward said second station.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises at least one displacing element for each of said holding means.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises at least one pneumatic displacing unit.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, further comprising means for at least substantially sealing said holding means from the surrounding atmosphere during travel between said first and second stations.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said feeding means comprises a pair of synchronized accelerating members and means for supplying a single file of rod-shaped articles into the range of said accelerating members.
 13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said accelerating members are rotary cams having lobes arranged to simultaneously engage and propel alternate articles of said file so that each of said groups comprises a leading article which is pushed forwardly by the respective alternate article.
 14. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said articles are tobacco-containing rods and wherein said displacing means is arranged to establish between the articles of said first and second rows a gap whose width at least equals the length of a filter plug of double unit length.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said braking means further comprises suction generating means and valve means for connecting said suction generating means with said ports in predetermined positions of said holding means with reference to said stations.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said groups comprises a front article and at least one further article located behind such front article as considered in the direction of lengthwise movement of said groups into the respective holding means, said braking means being arranged to arrest the front article of each of said groups.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises at least one pneumatic displacing unit including stationary air flow regulating valve means.
 18. In a conveyor as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said zones includes an elongateD recess in the respective holding means and wherein said ports communicate with those portions of said recesses which are remotest from the article-admitting inlet ends of said holding means.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said zones consists of at least one elongated row of suction ports.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for evacuating air from said ports in those portions of said braking zones which are remotest from the article-admitting inlet ends of the respective holding means.
 21. Apparatus for assembling plural rows of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising a conveyor having a plurality of at least substantially parallel holding means arranged to travel along a predetermined path past a first station and at least one second station; feeding means for supplying groups of axially aligned articles lengthwise into successive holding means at said first station so that each group assumes with reference to the respective holding means a first position and moves therewith sideways toward said second station; displacing means comprising at least one pneumatic displacing unit arranged to move at least one selected article of each group lengthwise relative to the respective holding means to a second position during sidewise travel toward said second station, said displacing unit comprising at least one suction port provided in each of said holding means, suction generating means, and valve means for connecting said ports with said suction generating means in predetermined positions of said holding means with reference to said stations; and receiving means for accepting articles from successive holding means at said second station whereby said selected articles form a first row of parallel articles and the remainders of said groups form at least one second row of parallel articles.
 22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein each of said holding means comprises an elongated flute having a bottom portion and wherein said ports are provided in the bottom portions of the respective flutes.
 23. Apparatus for assembling plural rows of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising a conveyor having a plurality of at least substantially parallel holding means arranged to travel along a predetermined path past a first station and at least one second station; feeding means for supplying groups of axially aligned articles lengthwise into successive holding means at said first station, each of said groups comprising a front article and at least one further article located behind such front article as considered in the direction of lengthwise movement of said groups into the respective holding means; braking means including an elongated braking zone provided in each of said holding means, each of said braking zones including at least one suction port arranged to draw air from the respective holding means and to thereby progressively increase friction between the respective holding means and at least one article of the group of articles in such holding means while the one article moves in a direction to overlie an increasingly larger part of the braking zone whereby said friction causes each group to assume with reference to the respective holding means a first position and to move therewith sideways toward said second station, the suction in each of said ports and the length of each of said braking zones being such that each of said groups is brought to a full stop in said first position while said one article overlies at least the major part of the respective braking zone; pneumatic displacing means arranged to move at least one selected article of each group lengthwise relative to the respective holding means to a second position during sidewise travel toward said second station; and receiving means for accepting articles from successive holding means at said second station whereby said selected articles form a first row of parallel articles and the remainders of said groups form at leaSt one second row of parallel articles. 